E066:08 15 December 2008

New chief inspector of construction starts work in 2009

HSE is pleased to announce that Philip White, currently on secondment to Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), has been appointed Chief Inspector of Construction. Philip will take up the London-based post early in the new year.

Since 2005 Philip has headed up the Department for Work and Pensions, Health and Safety Sponsorship Team, advising ministers on health and safety policy and the work of the Health and Safety Executive.

Commenting on the appointment, Philip said:

"I am delighted to be taking on this important position at such a challenging time. I look forward to working with the industry and trades unions in bringing about further improvements in health and safety. There’s still much to be done. That said, I’m encouraged by the progress made since the Construction Summit in 2001.

"I believe that further improvements will only be made by industry showing leadership, by working in partnership and taking ownership of the management of risk and holding to account those who don’t effectively control the risks they create.

"2009 is also a key year for shaping the strategy for HSE, having just launched its three-month consultation period so I am particularly excited to be joining at a time when energising the future of the HSE is moving forward."

HSE’s Chief Executive, Geoffrey Podger, said:

"We are very pleased that Philip has agreed to return to HSE as our Chief Inspector of Construction, and we look forward to his contributions to the organisation as we move ahead with our new strategy next year.

"We are also very glad to be retaining the expertise of Stephen Williams, when Philip succeeds, in this new post."

Notes to editors

1. Philip takes over from Stephen Williams who will continue in post until he arrives in the new year. Stephen has been appointed to a new post combining responsibility for field operations (London) and the Olympics.
2. Philip joined HSE as a Factory Inspector in 1985 and has broad experience of regulating a number of industries including construction.
3. In 1999, he was seconded to the then Department of Environment, Transport and Regions, in the Construction Policy Directorate to help implement  the recommendations of the ‘Rethinking Construction’ report.
4. On formation of HSE's Construction Division, he held the post of Head of Operations for the London East and South-East Unit, and subsequently Head of the Construction Sector where he was responsible for operational policy.
5. More about HSE’s Construction sector can be found here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/index.htm
6. More about HSE’s strategy: http://www.hse.gov.uk/strategy/index.htm

A photograph of Philip White is available upon request.

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